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Types of hedges: which kind fits your yard?
Choose Formal (sheared) hedge for a formal landscape, with shrubs such as privet, arborvitae and viburnum that respond well to shearing (Colorado State University Extension, 2025); Informal (natural) hedge for a yard where you want less maintenance and minimal pruning (Colorado State University Extension, 2025); Evergreen hedge for continuous privacy, wildlife cover and wind protection all year (Iowa State University Extension, 2026); Deciduous hedge for screening that can still slow winds, trap snow and provide privacy without leaves, especially with twiggy shrubs (Iowa State University Extension, 2026); Single-species hedge for a clean, consistent look (Iowa State University Extension, 2026); Mixed-species hedge for a yard where plant diversity can increase visual interest and provide benefits for insects, birds and other wildlife (Iowa State University Extension, 2026).
The right choice depends on whether you need screening all year or mainly in the growing season, how often you will prune, how much room the hedge has to grow, and whether you want a uniform look or a mix of plants.
| Type | Best for | Main advantages | Main drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal (sheared) hedge | a formal landscape, with shrubs such as privet, arborvitae and viburnum that respond well to shearing (Colorado State University Extension, 2025) | Colorado State University Extension (2025): shearing trains the hedge so that a dense growth habit can develop | Iowa State University Extension (2026): needs frequent pruning, often two or more times per year, to remain dense and attractive; Iowa State University Extension (2026): the maintenance a formal hedge needs is "almost always more than anticipated"; Iowa State University Extension (2023): if not properly maintained, formal hedges may become overgrown, poorly shaped eyesores |
| Informal (natural) hedge | a yard where you want less maintenance and minimal pruning (Colorado State University Extension, 2025) | Iowa State University Extension (2026): keeps its natural shape and typically requires only minimal pruning; Iowa State University Extension (2026): needs only occasional thinning to remove dead wood or correct shape | Iowa State University Extension (2026): plants are spaced by mature size, so it needs room: large shrubs (8–12 feet tall) go 4–6 feet apart; Iowa State University Extension (2026): a tall-growing shrub planted where a low hedge is intended results in constant maintenance and poor plant health |
| Evergreen hedge | continuous privacy, wildlife cover and wind protection all year (Iowa State University Extension, 2026) | Colorado State University Extension (2025): yew, juniper or hardy forms of boxwood give year-round screening | Iowa State University Extension (2026): an overgrown evergreen hedge must be rejuvenated more gradually, as many evergreens will not resprout from leafless wood |
| Deciduous hedge | screening that can still slow winds, trap snow and provide privacy without leaves, especially with twiggy shrubs (Iowa State University Extension, 2026) | Iowa State University Extension (2026): responds well to renewal pruning; Iowa State University Extension (2026): a severely overgrown planting can be cut back to 6–12 inches | Iowa State University Extension (2026): loses its leaves in fall, so it screens effectively mainly during the growing season; Iowa State University Extension (2026): after a hard cut-back, flowering may be reduced for a season or two |
| Single-species hedge | a clean, consistent look (Iowa State University Extension, 2026) | Iowa State University Extension (2026): maintenance is straightforward because the plants grow and bloom at the same time | Iowa State University Extension (2026): the appearance can be noticeably disrupted if a plant dies or is damaged, creating a gap; Iowa State University Extension (2026): more vulnerable to insect and disease problems, which can spread through the entire planting |
| Mixed-species hedge | a yard where plant diversity can increase visual interest and provide benefits for insects, birds and other wildlife (Iowa State University Extension, 2026) | Iowa State University Extension (2026): more resilient to insect and disease pressures, and the loss of a single plant has less impact on its overall appearance | Iowa State University Extension (2026): cannot be sheared into a uniform shape; Iowa State University Extension (2026): care is more complex because different species often need pruning and other care at different times |
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Sources for the facts on this page
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden guide on selecting and planting hedges (last reviewed April 2026), university extension, read 22 October 2026.
- Colorado State University Extension, Hedges fact sheet (published September 2011, reviewed August 2025), university extension, read 22 October 2026.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden guide on how to prune formal hedges (last reviewed January 2023), university extension, read 22 October 2026.